What is Brick Veneer?

brick veneer vs brick

Brick veneer construction consists of laying bricks individually or as a single unit around the exterior of a house. It’s not visible from the inside and generally only comes into play if something happens to damage the outer walls.

If you’ve ever looked at your house and wondered what keeps it standing up straight, it’s likely because brick veneer acts as an exoskeleton for many houses. Brick can be used both as protection and decoration; homes with their original brick exterior often look stately and beautiful compared to those that were covered in vinyl siding or left completely exposed after removal during renovations or repairs.

It’s possible to have any type of home without a brick veneer wall, but there are benefits to brick as a material.

Full Brick vs Brick Veneer

In full brick construction, header bricks are used to cover the entire exterior of a home from top to bottom. In addition, all openings for doors and windows must also be filled with bricks.

Solid brick homes look more uniform than those that have been finished in other building materials such as siding, but there is less room for customization because everything has to match. It’s possible to have electric wiring routed through the brick wall by drilling small weep holes at regular intervals to accommodate outlets and switches, but this isn’t always done correctly or well.

The main benefit of solid brick homes is their durability; they can withstand extreme weather conditions better than houses with vinyl siding or wood clapboard.

Brick veneer is an alternative to full brick construction in which bricks are used only on the exterior of homes, typically covering the exterior walls and filling in openings for doors and windows after the installation of insulation.

If you’ve ever seen a double brick house that has been painted or had its siding replaced with something more modern or fashionable, it’s possible that the structure was originally covered with brick veneer walls rather than full brick.

A common misconception about brick veneer is that it provides no structural support to the home when, in fact, it does help maintain proper balance by adding weight at key locations. This can be especially helpful in protecting against strong winds, heavy downpours, earthquakes, fires caused by lightning strikes and other natural disasters.

Is Brick Veneer Better than Double Brick?

Brick veneer isn’t as good as a double brick because it has a lot more cons than pros. Brick veneer is more expensive and less customizable, even though it does have some pros such as being easier to build and cheaper than double brick.

Some people might not want the customizability of brick veneers because they want something that blends into the background better. However, if you’re looking for something that will last a long time, then this is probably what you should go with.

Is Brick Veneer Cheaper than Brick?

There are some homes that have been noted as being cheaper vs brick veneer houses, but not all of them. There are a few factors that go into the price tag of a house, and while some brick veneer homes may be more expensive because they cost more to construct or maintain, there are also a lot of factors that can make a home more expensive.

Ultimately, it’s impossible to say which type of construction is cheaper because there are so many variables to consider. If you’re comparing two identical homes on paper with the biggest difference being the type of construction materials used, then one would be cheaper than the other. In reality, though, this doesn’t account for all the things that make a home expensive.

A lot goes into the price tag of a house, including how big it is, its location and what kind of amenities it has (pools, hot tubs and other extras that could make the area more trendy and attractive to potential homeowners).

Location can play a huge role in determining prices, even if two houses are identical in all other ways, the house that’s closer to work may end up being more expensive because it can save homeowners time and money.

What is a Brick Veneer House?

In addition to being covered in brick, some homes have been constructed with the brick already assembled as units and laid on-site instead of individual bricks. This can also be referred to as “unit masonry” or “precast concrete.”

Because these bricks are pre-fabricated, the installation process is faster and less labour-intensive than with full brick construction. These aren’t really seen anymore because they’re easier to damage during transportation and don’t look as nice as traditional double brick homes, but those that remain from decades past exemplify an era when aesthetics were more important than cost efficiency.

Brick veneer houses are both attractive and sturdy, which makes them particularly beneficial for those that live in high-risk areas. Even though these homes aren’t full brick, they still hold up better than houses with vinyl siding or bare wood clapboard.

Aesthetically, there’s less room for customization, but the brick veneer is a classic look that’ll never go out of style even as styles change over time. It’s also possible to add exterior elements such as flower beds and patios to improve home value without needing a professional contractor.

brick veneer vs double brick
The Process of Installing Brick Veneer Outside

Veneer Double Brick Walls

When the wooden or steel frame and the plaster of a brick veneer house are set up, it needs to be inspected and made sure all of the materials are properly used. Brick veneer houses need constant maintenance to keep the interior sealed and watertight because leaks will eventually cause mould and damage to everything in the house.

If you live in an area with high risks such as earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes, then the bricks veneer is a good choice because it can’t be easily toppled like regular solid brick structures or wood structures. Brick veneers also save on installation time which also helps lower the cost of home construction.

One way that brick veneers can be made even more resistant to natural disasters and better able to withstand wear and tear is to add a double brick wall. The exterior of the house has two layers that are separated by an air gap, which lets moisture dissipate without making it into the air inside your home.

This also means that the house can be sealed off from outside elements and potential intruders with double front doors and security shutters on the windows.

The gap between the inner and outer walls is filled with insulation that can be easily replaced, making it an affordable home improvement project to increase energy efficiency.

Brick veneer houses may cost more initially compared to wood or stone houses, but they’re also easier to maintain over time because their materials are built to last longer.

Does Brick Veneer Add Value?

Yes, a brick veneer can add value to your home. Brick veneers are appealing because they are aesthetically pleasing. There is also a sense of stability when living in brick veneer homes because there’s less material for the wind to catch on or for an earthquake to breakthrough.

Brick veneers are also fire resistant, so there’s less chance of your home being burnt to the ground during an emergency. All homes will depreciate if they’re left vacant for too long, but a double brick home holds its values better than vinyl siding because it is sturdier and more durable in severe weather.

What are the Pros of Using Brick Veneer?

  • Brick veneer houses are often more affordable than full brick houses.
  • They’re built quickly with less labour involved, making them a popular choice for those that need a quick home.
  • They’re more attractive than some other exterior options.

What are the Cons of Using Brick Veneer?

  • They don’t hold up as well as full brick houses with regards to natural disasters, fires and other threats.
  • They aren’t as customizable as full brick houses.
  • They’re more expensive than vinyl siding and bare clapboard houses, though it’s impossible to say exactly how much for sure because of all the other factors that go into a home’s price tag.

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